Col. Francis Robert Lawson

LAWSON, FRANK R. Colonel USAF (Retired); died on Thursday, January 13th at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Box Lawson, sons Bob Lawson (Lynn), Scott Lawson, and step sons Bobby Longshore (Gail) and Spencer Longshore III (Cindy), Grandson Jeff Lawson and Granddaughter Whitney Lawson. He was preceded in death by his brothers; Colonel Albert S. Lawson and Lt. Colonel Tom C. Lawson – both having served overseas in World War II as fighter bomber pilots.

A private (family-only) burial service will be conducted at Greenwood Cemetery on Sunday, January 16th at 1:00 pm. A Service of Resurrection, welcome to all, shall be held at First United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm on Sunday January 16th in the main sanctuary. Bishop Paul Duffey and Reverend Jay Cooper shall preside.

Colonel Lawson was a faithful and loyal member of First United Methodist Church and a loving husband and father; cherished and admired by all who knew him. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program at age 18 and one year later was flying P-38 fighters in North Africa and Europe during World War II. He was granted an Air Force commission after the War and later served in Korea and Vietnam as a decorated fighter pilot. He had the distinct honor of serving in WWII with both of his brothers. Upon returning from assignment in Vietnam as an F-105 pilot he retired and returned to Montgomery enjoying another fifteen years in civil aviation as the chief pilot of a local corporation.

In his later years he became an outspoken advocate of causes which affected our national interest.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church.